Rhythm sticks



K TSUKAMOTO RHYTHM STICK Filed Aug. 4, 1934 K Tia'i'amo f0 Patented Dec. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RHYTHM STICKS Keijuro Tsukamoto, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application August 4,1934, Serial 1V0. 2738, 110 a 10 Claims. (01. 46-4 My invention relates to sticks, or the like, which.

may be held in the hand and then given a clacking or clapping sound when struck together;

A purpose of my invention is in .the use of my rhythm sticks in gymnastic exercises, dancing, music timing, make-believe boxing, or making noises in so-called rooting in .sports, or the like. 1

An object and feature of my invention is form- 10 ing the sticks in the manner of segments of a circle held in the hand so that the convex sides are towards each other, .two of these sticks be-.

ing employed in each hand. i

One of the sticks is held by the thumb and '15 the palm of the hand and the other is held by the the fingers, preferably the secondor middle finger. In order to hold this second stick inrposition, Ipreferably employ an elastic loop secured.

13m in any suitable manner to theedge of the stick adjacent the portion engaged by the palm .o

the joint of the palm and the fingers. j

A further object and feature of' my'invention is forming eachstick from a segment of a cylinder so that each stick is preferably less than a semi-cylinder and thus convex onthe outside and concave on the inside. This concave side forms with the first stick and part of the palm and the thumb a hollow space which actssomewhat as a resonator forming a partial tube. A hollow space is also formed by the second stick by the space between the concave side and the fingers.

Another detailed feature of my invention is forming the sticks of a hard wood structure such as the outer shell or skin portion of split bamboo,

This provides a hard surface that is convex, pro

ducing a loud sound when the two sticks are clapped together, and as above described, these 5 sticks may be clapped in a rhythmic manner, or

when making various movements and thrusts with the arms such as in make-believe or boxing exercises.

My invention is illustrated in connection with N the accompanying drawing, in'which:

A further object and feature of my invention is.

- Fig. 1 is a perspective viewshowing the rhythm. sticks and the manner of holding in the hand.

Fig. 2 is a partial elevation of one of the sticks taken in the direction-of the arrow 20f Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is across sectional view of two of the sticks. Fig. {isacross section of one of the sticks showing a modified form of loop.

My invention employs two rhythm sticks designated 11 and 12, each of these being formed of a'cylindrical section of wood 13. I preferably form these of sections of bamboo split longitudinally. f This therefore provides a convex outside surface 1'4" and 1 a concave inside surface 15. These are preferably concentric and the edges connecting the two edges are slightly rounded as.

indicated at 16. I preferably form the sticks of held bythe fingers, I employ a resilient loop 21 which is preferably formed of a rubber elastic which is threaded through a perforation 22. The elastic itself extends longitudinally in a groove 23 parallel to the lower edge and the ends 24 of the elastic are threaded through a second perforation 25. This causes the elastic band to grip or bind in the two perforations and in the groove 23, giving an adjustability to the sides of the loop, loosening the binding of the elastic strip and either tightening or loosening the loop.

The stick 12 has a single notch 26 to be engaged by the end 27 of the thumb. In order to keep the sticks from being lost the cord 28 is threaded loosely through two perforations 29, one being in each stick adjacent one end.

I generally make the sticks slightly longer than the palm of a persons hand, a length of five to six inches being satisfactory. Manifestly, the sticks can be made of different sizes considered on the chord of the cylinders in accordance with the size of the hand of the user. This size should be such that the stick 12 can be readily gripped between the palm of the hand closely adjacent the soft portion of the inside of the thumb and the end of the thumb, slightly beyond the second joint. The stick 11 is preferably gripped bythe middle and ring fingers at about the second joint, these fingers engaging, as above mentioned, in the notches 19 and 18 and the straight opposite edge fitting at substantially the line at the end of the palm with the junction of the fingers.

This size and construction allows the two sticks to be readily gripped in the hand and to be clapped together by clenching and opening the hand.

In the construction of Fig. 4, the elastic loop 30 is threaded through a single perforation 31 which is counter-sunk 32 on the outside, and in this counter sunk portion there is a button 33130 which the elastic loop is attached. The purpose of providing the longitudinal curve 23 and the counter-sink 32 is to preventstick i2 contacting either with the elastic or with the button.

It is to be noted that when my rhythm sticks are properly held in the hand, that if desired, the first and the fourth fingers may engage over the edge of the stick 11, having the notches 1'7 and 18, and that on account of this stick forming part of a cylinder, there is a hollow space between the stick and the fingers. Similarly, with the stick 12, when properly gripped between the palm and the end of the thumb, there is formed a hollow space, these hollow spaces appearing to function somewhat as resonating chambers, causing the sound to be more clear and distinct when the device is held in the hand than when the two sticks are merely struck together without being so held. I

In order to have the sticks properly accommodated to the hand the notch 2'7 should be closer at one end than the other, of the stick 12. It is thereforeipreferable to make the devices in lefts and rights, one designed for the left hand th other for the right hand.

In using my rhythm sticks the person may readily give a clapping or clacking sound by strik-- ing the sticks in clenching the hand and separat ing the sticks and opening the hand. Therefore, in taking exercises with the arms at different swings or movements of the arms, the hand can be clenched, thus giving the clapping sound to a proper rhythm. The rhythm sticks may be used in a similar manner in various dances, also in phantom boxing these sticks are valuable by aiding the exercises by clenching the fist just at the moment the phantom boxer is about to complete the imaginary blow. I

Various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the scope,

of the invention as defined by the appended claims. i v

1. In a device as described, a pair of sticks, one having means for engagement with the fingers and the other having means for engagement by the thumb, said sticks being adapted to be clasped in the hand and to be, clapped together on closing the hand, one of the sticks having means for attachment to a finger.-

2. A pair of sticks each having a convex surface, one of the sticks having means for engagement with the fingers, the other having means for engagement by the thumb, the sticks being adapted to be grasped in the hand with the convex sides adjacent and adapted to be clapped together by closing the hand,. the stick having the means-for engagement by the fingers having a device for attachment to one finger.

3. In a device as described, a pair of sticks convex on one side, one stick having notches for engagement by two fingers the other having a single notch for engagement by the thumb, the sticks being adapted to be held in the hand with the convex sides adjacent whereby the sticks may be clapped together on closing the hand, the stick having the two notches having a loop on the side opposite the convex side for attachment'to one of "the fingers.

4. In a device as claimed in claim 3,.each stick having a concave side substantially concentric to the convex side forming with the hand, thumb and fingers, hollow spaces.

5. In a device as described, a pair of sticks each convex on one side and concave on the other, the said sides. being substantially concentric, one stick having a pair of notches to be engaged by fingers and having a'resilient loop on the concave side to be looped over one of the fingers, the other stick having a notch to be engaged by the thumb whereby the sticks may be held in thet'hand with the convex sides adjacent, the closing of.the hand being adapted to clap the sticks together.

6. In a device as claimed in claim 5, the stick having the. loop being provided with a perforation, the material of the loop extending through the perforation and being secured on the con vex side;

7. In a device as described, a pair of sticks eachbeing convex on one side andconcave on the other these sides being substantially con.- centric, each stick having parallel side edges, one stick having apair of notchesin one of the side edges to be engaged by the fingers the other stick having a single notch to be engaged by the thumb, the said notches being in substantially the mid. position between, the ends of the sticks, the stick having the two notches being provided with a perforation, resilient material extending through the said perforation and having a loop on the concave side, the convex side having a recess or depression with the loop forming material fitted. therein.

8. In a device as claimed in claim 7, the said depression beingin the form of a longitudinal groove with a second perforation at the end of the groove, the resilient material being stretched in the groove and. through the said perforation to the concaved side.

9. In a device a'sclaimed in claim 7, the depression being in the form of a counter-sink to the first mentioned perforation and a button forming the means for securing the flexible material in the counter sink; I

10. In a device as described, a pair of sticks each convex on one side and concave on the other, these being substantially concentric and each stick having parallel side edges, one of the sticks having a loop to engage over one of the fingers, the said stick being adapted for grippingwith the fingers the other stick being adapted to be gripped by the palm of the hand and the thumb with the convex sides of the sticks adjacent whereby when the hand is closed the sticks 1; may be clapped together.

KEIJU'RO TSUKAMOTO. 

